Heated seat belt

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electric powered device such as a heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected to the heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to the electric heater via the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry supplies power through the connector tongue and seat belt buckle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle seat belts, and moreparticularly relates to seat belts having electric power and/or heaters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicles are typically equipped with seat belts forrestraining passengers seated in vehicle seats. Conventional seat beltstypically include a lap belt and a shoulder belt connected to a bucklewhich, in turn, connects to the vehicle structure, such as a seat orfloor. The seat belt is typically made of a seat belt webbing thatcontacts the body of the seated passenger. It is desirable to providefor a seat belt system that provides enhanced heat control and/or powerfor the seated passenger(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat beltsystem is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat beltcomprising a webbing, an electric powered heater coupled to the webbing,and a power source for providing electric power to the heater.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   the seat belt system further includes electrical circuitry        connecting the heater to an electric power source;    -   the seat belt system further includes a seat belt buckle and        connector tongue, wherein the electrical circuitry connects        through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue;    -   the electric heater comprises a resistance heating element sewn        into the webbing;    -   the sewn resistance heating element comprises a resistance wire        sewn into the webbing and coupled in parallel between positive        and negative bus bars;    -   the resistance heating element comprises a resistance wire sewn        into the webbing in series;    -   the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,        and wherein the heater is disposed within the passageway;    -   the heater is connected to an outside surface of the webbing;    -   the seat belt system further includes a dielectric and thermally        conductive material disposed on top of the heater;    -   the heater comprises a thermoelectric device;    -   the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,        wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed within the        passageway; and    -   the seat belt system further includes an air delivery device for        delivering air to the passageway.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seatbelt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electricpowered heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected tothe heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connectortongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to theelectric heater via the electrical circuitry.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   The electric heater includes a resistance heating element sewn        into the webbing;    -   the sewn resistance heating element comprises a resistance wire        sewn into the webbing and coupled in parallel between positive        and negative bus bars;    -   the resistance heating element comprises a resistance wire sewn        into the webbing in series;    -   the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,        and wherein the heater is disposed within the passageway;    -   the heater is connected to an outside surface of the webbing;    -   the heater comprises a thermoelectric device; and    -   the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,        wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed within the        passageway.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the passenger cabin of an automotivevehicle having a seat belt system restraining a passenger seated on aseat assembly and configured with an electric powered heater, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the seat assemblyillustrating the heater made of resistance heating wire and an electricpower supply coupled to the seat belt;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section III of FIG. 2 further illustratingthe heating wire stitched on the seat belt webbing with a parallelelectrical arrangement, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken through line IIIA-IIIA of FIG. 1further illustrating the heating wire stitched into the seat beltwebbing;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a section of the seat belt illustratingthe heating wire arranged in a series electrical connection, accordingto an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the seat beltillustrating an electric heater formed in a tubular webbing, accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken through line IVA-IVA of FIG. 4further illustrating the electric heater disposed within the tubularwebbing;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken through line IVB-IVB of FIG. 4further illustrating the electric heater within the tubular webbing;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the seat beltfurther illustrating an electric heater in the form of a plurality ofelectrical resistance heating sheets, according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along VA-VA of FIG. 5 furtherillustrating the electric heater;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken through line VB-VB of FIG. 5further illustrating the electric heater;

FIG. 5C is a sectional view of a seat belt having a resistance heatingsheet sandwiched in layers of a tubular seat belt webbing, according toan alternate embodiment;

FIG. 5D is a sectional view of the seat belt shown in FIG. 5C furtherillustrating a resistance heating sheet within a tubular webbing,according to a further alternate embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the seat belt furtherillustrating an electric heater and cooler formed with thermoelectricdevices, according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken through line VIA-VIA of FIG. 6further illustrating an thermoelectric heater and cooler;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken through line VIB-VIB of FIG. 6further illustrating the thermoelectric heater and cooler;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the seat assemblyillustrating the connector tongue and buckle in a disconnected positionand configured with electrical power circuitry, according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken through line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG.7 illustrating the connector tongue and webbing connections;

FIG. 7B is a partial exploded view of the connector tongue and webbingarrangement shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged sectional view of the connector tongue and buckleshown in FIG. 7 illustrating the electrical power circuitry;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged sectional view of the connector tongue and buckleof FIG. 8A with the tongue latched in the buckle in the connectedposition;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through the buckle with the tongueconnected thereto and illustrating electrical power circuitry, accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken through the buckle with the tongueconnected thereto and illustrating electrical power circuitry, accordingto a third embodiment;

FIG. 11A is a front view of a disconnected tongue and buckle havingelectrical power circuitry, according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIB-XIB of FIG.11A further illustrating the electrical power circuitry;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIB-XIB of FIG.11A with the tongue connected within the buckle;

FIG. 12A is a front view of the connector tongue having electrical powercircuitry, according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIIB-XIIB of FIG.12A;

FIG. 12C is a rear view of connector tongue shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIID-XIID of FIG.12A;

FIG. 13A is a front view of a connector tongue having electricalcircuitry according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a side view of the tongue shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is a rear view of the tongue shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13D is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIIID-XIIID ofFIG. 13C:

FIG. 14A is a front view of a portion of a connector tongue havingelectrical power circuitry according to a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken through line XIVB-XIVB of FIG.14A;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a connector tongue having electrical powercircuitry according to an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 16A is a sectional view taken through the buckle and disconnectedfrom the tongue and illustrating a power connecting collar connected tothe tongue for providing electrical power circuitry, according to aninth embodiment; and

FIG. 16B is a sectional view taken through the buckle of FIG. 16A withthe tongue connected to the buckle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detaileddesign; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show functionoverview. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a portion of the passenger cabin or compartmentof a vehicle 10 is generally illustrated having a seat belt system 20assembled onto a seat assembly 12 and including an electric poweredheater 40 on the seat belt webbing 24, according to one embodiment. Thevehicle 10 may include a wheeled motor vehicle, such as a car, truck,van or any other type of vehicle that includes a seat belt system. Theseat assembly 12 is generally illustrated including a lower seat 14pivotally connected to an upper seat back 16 and configured to receiveand retain a seated passenger 18. It should be appreciated that thevehicle 10 may include a plurality of seat assemblies 12 each includinga seat belt system 20 as shown and described herein.

The seat belt system 20 is shown as a three-point seat beltconfiguration having a seat belt webbing 24 connected at a firstconnection point 28 generally near the top of the seat back 16 oranother supporting portion within the vehicle such as the B-pillar, asecond connection point 26 connected to the floor or the seat 14 of thevehicle generally in the region of the lap of the passenger seated onthe seat 14, and a third connection point 30 shown connected to aconnector tongue 32 which releasably connects or fastens to a seat beltbuckle 34. The connector tongue 32 is matingly and releasably coupled tothe seat belt buckle 34 for fastening the tongue 32 onto the buckle 34.The seat belt system 20 includes the seat belt comprising the seat beltwebbing 24. The webbing 24 may be flat or may be generally in the shapeof a flattened tube defining an interior passageway. It should beappreciated that the vehicle seat belt system 20 may be employed with orwithout a seat belt airbag.

In the embodiment shown, the seat belt webbing 24 includes a shoulderbelt 22A that is generally positioned to extend from the connectortongue 32 over the shoulder and chest of a passenger and a lap belt 22Bwhich is positioned to extend over the lap of the passenger when seatedin the seat assembly 12. The lap belt 22B and shoulder belt 22A may beintegrally formed of the same webbing as shown or connected to oneanother or may be separate belts, according to other embodiments. Itshould be appreciated that the shoulder belt 22A or the lap belt 22B orboth the shoulder belt 22A and lap belt 22B may include an electricpowered heater and electrical circuitry, according to variousembodiments.

The vehicle seat belt system 20 includes a seat belt webbing 24 thatextends across the first, second, and third connecting points 28, 29 and30 and forms the shoulder belt 22A and lap belt 22B. The electricpowered heater 40 is connected onto the seat belt webbing 24. The seatbelt webbing 24 may include a conventional webbing material that forms aseat belt for the lap belt 22B and/or shoulder belt 22A. The seat beltwebbing 24 may extend within one or more seat belt retractors such asretractors located near the first connection point 20A and secondconnection point 26. The seat belt webbing also may connect to theconnector tongue 32. The electric powered heater 40 is attached onto atleast a portion of the seat belt webbing 24, particularly shown in oneembodiment connected on a portion of the shoulder belt 22A and the lapbelt 22B. The electric powered heater 40 may be formed of an electricalresistance heating element such as a resistance heating wire 42 shown inthe first embodiment that generates thermal energy or heat when electriccurrent is transmitted thereon. The resistance heating wire 42 may bestitched via stitching onto the seat belt webbing 24, according to oneembodiment. The resistance heating wire 42 may extend through thewebbing 24 in a stitch pattern extending along a length and/or width ofthe webbing 24.

The electric powered heater 40 may be formed by an electricallyconductive and yet resistive heating element or wire 42 that may bestitched into the seat belt webbing 24 generally along a length or widthof the webbing 24. The electric powered heater 40 receives electricpower supplied from a power supply across electrical circuitry or powerlines which may extend through any of the first, second and thirdconnection points 26, 28 and 30. Electric power may be supplied overelectrical circuitry via one or two or more of the first, second andthird connection points 26, 28 and 30. In the embodiment shown, electricpower is supplied from a power source 38 through electrical circuitryformed in the seat belt buckle 34 and connector tongue 32, when thetongue 32 is connected to the buckle 34. Both a positive polarityvoltage (V+) line and a negative polarity voltage (V−) or ground linemay be formed by electrical circuitry to supply a high voltage V+ to theheater 40 from the power source 38 and a return line with low voltage V−or a ground path. The electrical circuitry further connects between theconnector tongue 32 and the electric powered heater 40 to transmit theelectrical power to the heater 40.

The power source 38 may include a vehicle electric power source such asa 12 volt battery and may be provided through a connection in thevehicle seat assembly 12, such as below the lower seat 14. Electricalpower may be supplied from the power source 38 through electricalcircuitry in the form of one or more power lines 36 to supply power tothe electrical circuitry in the seat belt buckle 34. When the seat beltbuckle 34 is connected to the connector tongue 32, a closed circuit pathin the circuit is formed so that electrical power passes through boththe seat belt buckle 34 and connector tongue 32 and further throughcircuitry provided on the webbing 24 leading to the electrical poweredheater 40.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3A, an electric powered heater 40 isillustrated according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, theelectric heater 40 is formed with a sewn electrical resistance heatingwire 42 having one or more wires that are sewn or stitched into the seatbelt webbing 24 and forms an electric circuit between a power supplyline which may receive a positive polarity voltage V+ and a return linewhich may have a negative polarity voltage V− or ground signal. In theembodiment shown, each resistance heating wire 42 extends between afirst bus bar 44 on one side of a heated portion of the webbing 24 and asecond bus bar 46 on a second side of the heated portion of the webbing24. Electrical power, such as a positive polarity power with a voltageV+(e.g., 12 volts) is supplied to the first bus bar 44 and a negativepolarity voltage V− or grounded path may be provided to the second busbar 46. As such, electric current is able to flow from the first bus bar44 to the second bus bar 46 passing along resistance heating wires 42which extend in parallel connections between the two bus bars 44 and 46.Thus, the resistance heater wires 42 are connected in a parallelelectrical arrangement. When electric current passes through eachparallel connected resistance heating wire 42, the electric currentgenerates thermal energy or heat. In the embodiment shown, theresistance heating wire 42 is stitched into the seat belt webbing 24such that a greater portion of the heating wire 42 is present on thesurface facing the seat belt passenger as shown, whereas the heatingwire 42 passes through a depth of the seat belt webbing 24 and has ashorter surface portion on the opposite side facing away from the seatedpassenger. The resistance heating wire 42 may be stitched to passthrough the material of the seat belt webbing 24, such as through oraround a warp and weft webbing pattern in the webbing material and maybe configured in various patterns and sizes.

It should be appreciated that electric power may be supplied to andreturn from the resistance heating wire 42 according to otherembodiments. For example, the resistance wire 42 may be stitched intothe seat belt webbing 24 in a series connection to form a seriesresistance heater as shown in FIG. 3B. This may be achieved by replacingthe first and second bus bars 44 and 46 with a continuous resistanceheating wire 42 which connects adjacent rows of resistance wiretogether. Further, it should be appreciated that the positive polarityvoltage V+ and negative polarity voltage V− sides of the heater 40 maybe both electrically connected via power lines through the connectortongue 32 and seat belt buckle 34 or one or more of the power lines mayconnect through conductive circuitry extending to either the firstconnection point 28 or second connection point 26, both of which mayconnect to retractors or anchor points on the vehicle.

The buckle 34 has a pushbutton latch 90 for releasably engaging anopening 80 in the tongue 32 (FIG. 8A) and latching the connector tongue32. The connector tongue 32 is inserted into and releasably connectswith the buckle 34 so as to engage and latch the connector tongue 32 andthe seat belt attached thereto to the buckle 34. In doing so, theconnector tongue 32 is aligned with and operatively engages a chamberand latch 90 provided within the buckle 34. The connector tongue 32 mayinclude a first conductive circuit 100 provided thereon and electricallyconnected to the circuitry provided on the seat belt webbing 24. Thefirst circuit may include a first circuit line 102A for transmitting ahigh polarity voltage V+ and a second circuit line 102B for transmittinga return low polarity voltage V− or ground. The buckle 34 may include asecond circuit 110 configured to matingly engage the first circuit 100when the connector tongue 32 is fastened to the buckle 34. The secondcircuit is further electrically coupled to the power line 36 to receivepower from the power source 38. The second circuit may likewise includea first circuit line 112A for receiving a high polarity voltage V+ and areturn second circuit line 112B for receiving a low polarity voltage V−or ground signal.

Referring to FIGS. 4-4B, an electric powered heater 40 is illustrateddisposed within a tubular seat belt webbing 24, according to a secondembodiment. In this embodiment, the seat belt webbing 24 is shown formedin a somewhat collapsed or flattened state having a top layer connectedto or integrally formed with a bottom layer and having a passageway 66therebetween. One example of a material suitable for forming the seatbelt webbing 24 is a woven polyester which may be coated with a siliconelayer. However, the seat belt webbing 24 may be formed of othermaterials. The electric heater 40 may be formed of one or more electricresistance heating wires 42 that are disposed within the passageway 66of the tubular seat belt webbing 24. The heating wire 42 may include asingle wire extending from one end of the heating portion to the otherend of the heating portion which then connects to a high polarityvoltage V+ at one end and a low polarity voltage V− or ground at theopposite end. Alternatively, a return line shown by dashed line 43 ofthe heating wire 42 may extend through the passageway 66 so that thehigh voltage V+ and low voltage V− terminals are on the same end of theheating portion and may easily connect to electrical circuitry on thesame side of the heater 40. In the embodiment shown, the resistanceheating wire 42 extends in a sinusoidal waveform pattern, however, itshould be appreciated that the heating wire 42 may extend in variousother patterns as desired to generate the desired heating effect.

Referring to FIGS. 5-5B, an electric powered heater 40 is shown attachedto the seat belt webbing 24 and having a planar or sheet shaped heaterarrangement according to a third embodiment. In this embodiment, theheater 40 is formed of one or more resistance heater sheets 52 which maybe stitched or otherwise attached onto one or more portions of the seatbelt webbing 24. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of heater sheets52 are employed and may be individually controlled with separate powerlines to supply voltages, such as high voltages V+₁ through V+n tocreate individually controllable heating zones. Each separately heatableregion includes an electrical resistance heating sheet 52 located on theseat belt webbing 24. The heating sheet 52 may be covered with adielectric and thermally conductive cover layer 50 which allows thermalenergy to pass therethrough and dielectrically isolates the heatingsheets 52. The heating sheets 52 may each be located between high andlow power bus bars 54 and 56 such that electric current may pass frombus bar 54 at high voltage V+ to bus bar 56 at low voltage V− or ground.The bus bar 54 is coupled to one or more of the high voltage powersupply lines and bus bar 56 is coupled to the low polarity or groundreturn line. As such, electric current may pass from the bus bar 54 tobus bar 56 within each of the individually controllable heater sheets 52which in turn generate thermal energy or heat.

The electric powered heater 40 may otherwise be configured to includeone or a plurality of heater sheets 52 that are planar or sheet shapedheaters that are sandwiched within layers of the seat belt webbing 24 asshown in FIG. 5C or disposed within a passageway 66 in a tubular shapedseat belt webbing 24 as shown in FIG. 5D or otherwise attached to theoutside surface of the seat belt webbing 24. As seen in FIG. 5C, aplurality of resistance heater sheets 52 are sandwiched between a toplayer and a bottom layer of a seat belt webbing 24 which may include anyconventional material. As seen in FIG. 5D, the heater sheet 52 or one ormore heater sheets 52 may be disposed within a passageway 66 extendingwithin the seat belt webbing 24. It should be appreciated that each ofthe heater sheets 52 may be individually controlled or may be controlledin sync to provide heating to the seat belt.

According to various embodiments, the sewn resistance heating elementmay include a resistive sheet element or wire sewn, glued, or laminatedonto the webbing and coupled in parallel between positive and negativebus bars. The resistance heating element may include a resistive sheetelement or wire sewn, glued, or laminated onto the webbing in series.

Referring to FIGS. 6-6B, an electric powered heater 40 is illustratedhaving a plurality of thermoelectric devices (TEDs) 60 for providingconduction heating and cooling according to a fourth embodiment. In theembodiment shown, a plurality of thermoelectric devices 60 are shownconnected with individual high polarity voltage V+ lines 54A-54C forreceiving respective high voltage signals V+, V+₁, and V+₂ and lowpolarity or ground line 56 for receiving low voltage signal V−. However,it should be appreciated that each of the thermoelectric devices 60 maybe otherwise controlled having separate power lines to create separatelycontrollable heating and cooling regions or may share a common voltageline. For example, the thermoelectric devices 60 may be coupled torespective a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar for supplyingcurrent therebetween across one or more or all of the thermoelectricdevices 60.

The thermoelectric devices 60 are shown located within a tubular seatbelt webbing 24, such that air from an air delivery device 70 may bedelivered through the passageway 66 formed within the tubular webbing 24in communication with a heat sink 62. The thermoelectric devices 60operate to provide heating in one mode and in an opposite polarity modecan be reversed so as to provide cooling. The thermoelectric devices 60operate in the heating mode by heating the occupant and cooling theambient air passing through the air passageway. In reverse, in thecooling mode, the thermoelectric device 60 operates by cooling the sideof the passenger and heating the air in the ambient air flow passageway66. In the cooling mode, ambient or cooled air moves along the air flowpassageway 66 furthest from the occupant, thereby providing heat removalfrom the thermoelectric devices 60. Each of the thermoelectric devices60 thereby conductivity heats or cools the body of the passenger when avoltage is applied.

Accordingly, the seat belt system 20 advantageously employs an electricpowered heater 40 which may include various types of heaters attached tothe seat belt webbing 24. While specific embodiments of electric poweredheaters are shown and described herein, it should be appreciated thatother types of electric powered heaters may be connected in the same orsimilar manner to the seat belt webbing 24 to provide heating.

The electric powered heater 40 may be powered with electric powersupplied on electrical circuitry that may pass through the connectortongue 32 and buckle 34 so as to supply electric power from a vehiclepower supply to the heater 40. It should be appreciated that electricpower may otherwise be supplied to the electric heater 40 through anyone or more of the first, second and third connection points 26, 28 and30, according to other embodiments. For example, electric power could besupplied via power supply circuitry in either a seat belt retractor or aseat belt anchor provided in the seat or anchor point on the vehicle. Itshould further be appreciated that electric power, such as a highvoltage V+ and low voltage V− may be supplied from different locations.

The electrical circuit for supplying electrical current through theconnector tongue 32 and buckle 34 may be employed to power any of anumber of electrical powered devices that may be located on or near theseat belt. For example, the electrical circuitry may supply electricalpower to lighting devices or other electric power consuming devices thatmay be located on the seat belt. The electrical circuitry passingthrough the connector tongue 32 and buckle 34 may be configured in anyof a number of embodiments as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8B, the seat belt system 20 is shown with theconnector tongue 32 and buckle 34 both configured with electrical powercircuitry according to a first embodiment. The electrical powercircuitry supplies power between the power source 38 and a powerconsuming device on the seat belt, such as the electrical heater 40,according to one example. The connector tongue 32 has a first circuit100 which includes a first power line 102A and a second power line 102B.The power lines 102A and 102B extend from contacts at the terminal endof the tongue 32, referred to as first and second contacts 104A and104B, respectively and extend to the opposite end of the tongue 32 tocontacts 170A and 170B that electrically connect with electricalcircuitry on the seat belt webbing 24. The first and second contacts104A and 104B may include fixed or spring biased contacts and areconfigured to make contact with a second circuit 110 provided on thebuckle 34. The second circuit 110 includes a first power line 112A and asecond power line 112B which connect to power supply line 36 leadingfrom the power supply 38. The second circuit 110 further includes afirst contact pad 114A and a second contact pad 114B located so as toreceive and contact the contacts 104A and 104B of the first circuit 100when the connector tongue 32 is connected and latched onto the buckle34. It should be appreciated that the connector tongue 32 may latch ontothe buckle 34 when a latch element is received within the opening 80 ontongue 32. The first and second contact pads 114A and 114B may beresilient to allow for a continuous electrical contact between first andsecond contacts 104A and 104B and first and second pads 114A and 114B,respectively, despite slight movement therebetween. In one embodiment,the first and second contact pads 114A and 114B may be formed as springsthat may bend or rotate when contacted to maintain a connection with thecontacts 104A and 104B despite a limited amount of movement. Thecontacts 104A and 104B could otherwise be configured as translatablecarriers that may be spring loaded.

The connection of the connector tongue 32 and the first circuit 100 onthe connector tongue 32 to the seat belt webbing 24 and the circuitry onthe webbing 24 is further illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The seat beltwebbing 24 may extend within a slot 174 provided in the connector tongue32 and may wrap back upon itself and may further be connected togethervia stitching, adhesive or other connector to form a fixed position onthe connector tongue 32. One portion of the seat belt webbing 24therefore extends as a lap belt and the other portion extends as ashoulder belt. The contacts 170A and 170B provided on the tongue 32 arealigned to engage contacts 172A and 172B on a surface of the seat beltwebbing 24. Contacts 172A and 172B, in turn, are electrically connectedto electrical circuitry on the webbing 24 and may connect to one or morepowered devices, e.g., heater, to provide a high voltage V+ and a lowvoltage V− or ground return path. The connection of contact pads 172Aand 172B to circuitry on the webbing 24 may include soldering, adhesiveor other forms of connectors to solidify the connection and maintain theconnection therebetween. A cover 180 is further illustrated covering theportion of the tongue 32 that includes the connection with the seat beltwebbing 24. The cover 180 may include a first cover member 180A thatconnects to a second cover member 180B to contain the webbing connectionand electrical contact connections therein. The cover members 180A and180B may snap together or be connected via fasteners, adhesive or otherconnectors.

When the seat belt is unlatched such that the connector tongue 32 isdisconnected from the buckle 34 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the firstcircuit 100 is disconnected from the second circuit 110 to form an opencircuit path such that power in the form of electrical current is unableto flow from the power supply 38 to the seat belt webbing 24. When theconnector tongue 32 is connected and latched onto the buckle 34 as shownin FIG. 8B, the first circuit 100 connects to the second circuit 110 toform a closed circuit path to allow electric current from the powersupply 38 to be transmitted to one or more electric powered devices onthe seat belt webbing 24. In doing so, the first circuit 100 forms anelectrical connection with the second circuit 110 via first and secondcontacts 104A and 104B contacting respective contact pads 114A and 114B.A latch 90 in the buckle 34 engages opening 80 in the tongue 32 so as tomaintain the connector tongue 32 latched in place within the buckle 34.In this embodiment, the first circuit line 102A and first power line112A transmit a high voltage V+, whereas the second circuit 102B andsecond power line 112B form a return path to transmit a low voltage V−or ground signal. If the connector 32 is flipped 180° within the buckle34, the voltage polarity on the first and second circuits 102A and 102Bmay be reversed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the electrical power circuitry provided on theconnector tongue 32 and buckle 34 is configured to include a pluralityof high voltage V+ lines and low voltage V− lines and further mayinclude a communication port, such as a USB connector, according to asecond embodiment. In this embodiment, the first circuit 100 on theconnector tongue 32 includes two power lines 102A on opposite ends fordelivering the high voltage V+ power and two power lines 102B in betweenlines 102A for transmitting the low voltage V− power or ground. Thisallows the connector tongue 32 to be flipped 180° front to back and tomake the same polarity contacts with the second circuit on the buckle34. To accommodate the four power lines on the connector tongue 32, thebuckle 34 is configured with four receiving pads 114A and 114Bpositioned for making contact with the contacts 104A and 104B when theconnector tongue 32 is connected and latched onto the buckle 34.

The connector tongue 32 includes a USB communication port connector 116which is configured to connect with a USB connector 118 on the buckle34. As such, the USB connectors 116 and 118 allow for data to becommunicated through the buckle 34 and connector tongue 32. This mayenable data communication to be transmitted to one or more devices onthe seat belt webbing 24 such as control signals for controlling one ormore heaters, lights, or other powered devices.

Referring to FIG. 10, electrical power circuitry is shown in theconnector tongue 32 and buckle 34 similar to that shown in FIG. 9, butwith separate data communication lines 106A and 106B according to athird embodiment. In this embodiment, the data communication lines 106Aand 106B are connected to separate connector pads 118A and 118B of thesecond circuit in the buckle 34 which, in turn, connects to separatecontacts 116A, 116B of the first circuit on the connector tongue 32. Theconnector contact pad 114B and contact 104B in the middle of the tongue104B is configured to receive a negative voltage V− or ground, whereasthe two outside circuit connections of contacts 104A and pad 114A areconfigured to receive high voltage V+. As such, the pair of datacommunication lines may provide data to one or more devices on the seatbelt webbing 24.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, electrical power transmission through theconnector tongue 32 and buckle 34 is illustrated according to a fourthembodiment. In this embodiment, the connector tongue 32 is configured ofa first electrically conductive material on a first side and a secondelectrically conductive material on the opposite second side andseparated via a dielectric material 123 therebetween. The firstconductive material on the first side forms a first circuit path 122Aand the second conductive material on the opposite second side forms asecond circuit path 122B. The dielectric material 123 dielectricallyisolates the first and second circuit paths 122A and 122B from oneanother. The buckle 34 includes a first contact 124A and a secondcontact 124B located on opposite sides of the buckle 34 and configuredto engage the respective first circuit path 122A and second circuit path122B when the connector tongue 32 is disposed within and latched ontothe buckle 34 as seen in FIG. 11C. When this occurs, a latch 90 engagesopening 80 to latch the connector tongue 32 fixed in place on the buckle34. At the same time, the contacts 124A and 124B contact the oppositesurfaces of the tongue 32 forming the first and second circuit paths122A and 122B to allow electric current to flow from the power supply 38to one or more power devices on the seat belt webbing 24 and return.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12D, an electrical power connection circuit onthe connector tongue 32 is shown according to a fifth embodiment. Inthis embodiment, the connector tongue 32 includes a pair of electricalcontact strips 142A and 142B on each of the first and second oppositesides of the tongue 32. The contact strip 142A on each side is locatedoffset from the center towards the side and receive the high voltage V+,whereas the contact stripes in the middle of the tongue essentiallyaligned along the longitudinal axis receive the low voltage V− or groundsignal. As such, the connector tongue 32 may be flipped or rotated 180°and still make the correct polarity contacts with the circuitry on thebuckle 34. It should be appreciated that the buckle 34 includeselectrical contacts configured to matingly engage one of the highvoltage power lines 142A and one of the low voltage power lines 142B tocomplete the circuit connection to supply electrical current to one ormore powered devices on the seat belt webbing 24.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13D, the connector tongue 32 is illustratedhaving electrical power circuitry according to a sixth embodiment. Inthis embodiment, a first side of the connector tongue 32 has anelectrically conductive material that forms a conductive path 122A andthe opposite second side includes an electrically conductive materialthat forms a second circuit path 122B. The first and second sides areseparated by a dielectric material 123. In addition, the conductivematerial on the first circuit side forming the first path 122A extendsto the opposite second side in an area surrounding the opening 80 and isdielectrically isolated by dielectric layer 146 from the first circuitpath 122A. As such, electrical contacts in the buckle 34 can be locatedon one side to contact both the first circuit path 122A and secondcircuit path 122B on the same side of the tongue 32. It should beappreciated that the buckle 34 has contacts on the same side forengaging both the first and second circuit paths 122A and 122B.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14B, an electrical power circuit is provided onthe connector tongue 32 according to a seventh embodiment. In thisembodiment, the connector tongue 32 is made of an electricallyconductive material within the central region forming a first circuitpath 152 and on three sides is surrounded around the perimeter by adielectric layer 156. A further conductive material forming a secondcircuit path 154 is formed on the three sides around the dielectriclayer 156. As such, the dielectric layer 156 dielectrically isolates thefirst conductive path 152 from the second conductive path 154. As such,the buckle 34 may be configured with contacts to engage the firstcircuit path 152 and the second circuit path 154 when the connectortongue 32 is latched within the buckle 34.

Referring to FIG. 15, the connector tongue 32 is illustrated having ashaped similar to that shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, except the outerterminal portion thereof has the first circuit path 152 furtherextending to the terminal portion according to an eighth embodiment. Inthis embodiment, the dielectric layer 156 does not completely surroundthe first path on the terminal end, but does surround a portion of theterminal end and two sides such that the first circuit path 152 and thesecond circuit path 154 may be contacted at the terminal end of theconnector tongue. This allows the buckle 34 to have contacts configuredto engage the first circuit path 152 and second circuit path 154 at theterminal end of the tongue 32.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a seat belt connector tongue 32 andbuckle 34 arrangement is shown having electric power circuitry accordingto a ninth embodiment. In this embodiment, the connector tongue 32 isconfigured to receive a power connector collar 160 on the outer surfacethereof. The collar 160 may be an original equipment or an after-marketcollar that is configured to slide onto the connector tongue 32 and beheld in place therewith. The collar 160 includes a pair of electricalcontacts 164A and 164B shown provided on opposite lateral sides of thetongue 32. The buckle 34 includes a pair of receiving pads 166A and 166Bwhich are adapted to align and connect with the contacts 164A and 164Bwhen the connector tongue 32 is latched onto the buckle 34. It should beappreciated that the contacts 164A and 164B provided on the collar 160may otherwise be configured at different locations and may include otherpower lines and communication lines, according to further embodiments.

Accordingly, the electrical power circuitry provided on the connectortongue 32 and buckle 34 advantageously allows for electrical power to betransmitted from a power supply to the seat belt webbing 24 to power anyof a number of power devices, such as a heater, lights, and otherdevices. In one embodiment, the vehicle seat belt system 20advantageously provides for a heated seat belt to enhance occupantheating. The seat belt system 20 may advantageously provide for anelectric powered heater provided on the seat belt webbing, according tovarious embodiments.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat belt system comprising: a seatbelt comprising a webbing; a connector tongue connected to the webbing;a buckle configured to releasably connect with the tongue; an electricpowered heater connected to the webbing; and electrical circuitryprovided on the connector tongue and the buckle to conduct a voltagesupply and ground voltage return between a power source and the heatervia contacts on the tongue and the buckle when the tongue is connectedto the buckle.
 2. The seat belt system of claim 1, wherein theelectrical circuitry comprises first circuitry provided on the connectortongue and second circuitry provided on the buckle, wherein the firstand second conductive circuitry are electrically connected when thetongue is connected to the buckle.
 3. The seat belt system of claim 1,wherein the electric heater comprises a resistance heating element sewninto the webbing.
 4. The seat belt system of claim 3, wherein the sewnresistance heating element comprises a resistance wire sewn into thewebbing and coupled in parallel between positive and negative bus bars.5. The seat belt system of claim 3, wherein the resistance heatingelement comprises a resistance wire sewn into the webbing in series. 6.The seat belt system of claim 1, wherein the webbing comprises a tubularwebbing defining a passageway, and wherein the heater is disposed withinthe passageway.
 7. The seat belt system of claim 1, wherein the heateris connected to an outside surface of the webbing.
 8. The seat beltsystem of claim 7 further comprising a dielectric and thermallyconductive material disposed on top of the heater.
 9. The seat beltsystem of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a thermoelectric devicethat heats or cools the webbing.
 10. The seat belt system of claim 9,wherein the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed within the passageway. 11.The seat belt system of claim 10 further comprising an air deliverydevice for delivering air to the passageway.
 12. A vehicle seat beltsystem comprising: a seat belt comprising a webbing; a connector tongueconnected to the webbing; a buckle configured to releasably connect withthe tongue; an electric powered heater connected to the webbing;electrical circuitry provided on the connector tongue and the buckle toconduct a voltage a supply and ground return when the tongue isconnected to the buckle; and an electric power source for providingelectric power to the electric heater via the contacts on the buckle andthe tongue in the electrical circuitry.
 13. The seat belt system ofclaim 12, wherein the electric heater comprises a resistance heatingelement sewn into the webbing.
 14. The seat belt system of claim 13,wherein the sewn resistance heating element comprises a resistance wiresewn into the webbing and coupled in parallel between positive andnegative bus bars.
 15. The seat belt system of claim 13, wherein theresistance heating element comprises a resistance wire sewn into thewebbing in series.
 16. The seat belt system of claim 12, wherein thewebbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway, and whereinthe heater is disposed within the passageway.
 17. The seat belt systemof claim 12, wherein the heater is connected to an outside surface ofthe webbing.
 18. The seat belt system of claim 12, wherein the heatercomprises a thermoelectric device that heats or cools the webbing, andwherein the webbing comprises a tubular webbing defining a passageway,wherein the thermoelectric device is disposed within the passageway. 19.A vehicle seat belt system comprising: a seat belt comprising a tubularwebbing defining a passageway; an electric powered heater disposedwithin the passageway; an air delivery device for delivering air to thepassageway; and a power source for providing electric power to theheater.
 20. The seat belt system of claim 19, wherein the heatercomprises a thermoelectric device that heats or cools the webbing.